Blood sugar is considered one of the important indicators of he alth. Any deviation up or down threatens with serious complications. A feature of the carbohydrate indicator is that this unit is unstable, due to internal and external factors, it changes daily, and at certain periods of life. In medicine, generally accepted normal indicators of sugar in human blood are distinguished, on the basis of which it is possible to judge possible diseases. Therefore, it is worth figuring out what is the norm, what verification methods exist and what to do to stabilize the condition.
Glucose in human blood
When sugar enters the body, it cannot be absorbed in its pure form. For the normal functioning of internal systems and organs, it is necessary tosplit. This natural process occurs under the action of enzymes, united under the general name - glycosidases or sucrases. They are produced by the small intestine and pancreas. In the same organs, glucose is absorbed into the blood.
Its main source is foods high in carbohydrates. The normal blood sugar level in women and men is very important, being a kind of indicator, it tells that the cells are receiving the necessary amount of nutrition for functioning. This indicator is especially important for bone and muscle tissue, as well as for the brain and heart, which need energy much more than other organs.
Danger of abnormal blood sugar readings:
- Decrease in glucose levels causes cell starvation. If the necessary energy is not received, their functionality is impaired. Chronic deficiency affects the brain and nervous system.
- Excess component is localized in tissue proteins. This eventually leads to damage to the kidneys, heart, blood vessels and nerve cells.
To prevent pathological changes in the body, it is necessary to carefully control the level of glucose. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with what blood sugar indicators are considered normal, how to identify the first alarming signs and prevent irreversible processes. But before passing the analysis for sugar content, you should prepare for it. Therefore, it is worthwhile to carefully study the information,which will help you get the most accurate results.
What is a normal blood sugar level
A blood test is required to obtain sugar data. In the presence of a glucometer, a person can do this study himself. The data obtained can only be compared with normal indicators.
The table shows normal blood sugar levels for an adult and a child:
| Age category | Fasting glucose in mmol/L |
| up to 1 month | 2, 8 - 4, 4 |
| from 1 month under 14 | 3, 3 - 5, 5 |
| from 15 to 60 years old | 4, 1 - 5, 9 |
| Pregnant women | 4, 6 - 6, 7 |
Deviation from the norm indicates violations in the body, which requires adjustment.
Tolerable deviations from normal blood sugar
The aging process of the body also affects blood glucose levels. This is due to the fact that throughout life there is a wear of all functionally important organs and systems. Therefore, a natural deviation from the normal blood sugar levels of an adult over 65 is allowed.
A change is considered acceptable - up to 4.6–6.7 mmol/L.
Exceeding these figures is the first sign of the development of diabetes.
At the age of over 50 years, it is recommended to regularly conduct a blood test for sugar levels once every six months. This will allow you to control deviations and identify existingpathology before irreversible processes begin.
Signs and causes of high blood sugar
Abnormal changes in normal blood sugar levels in an adult are commonly referred to in medicine as hyperglycemia. Their temporary excess is most often associated with excessive physical exertion, overwork. But if the values \u200b\u200bare kept at this level constantly, then diseases of the endocrine system can provoke this condition, as a result of which the production of glucose in the body significantly exceeds its consumption.
Short-term excess does not negatively affect overall well-being. But if the deviation is fixed for a long period, then this leads to metabolic disorders at the cellular level, weakened immunity, decreased blood circulation, dysfunction of organs and systems, and death.
The following diseases can be the reason for the persistent excess of the normal blood sugar level:
- diabetes mellitus;
- hyperthyroid function;
- failure of the functionality of the hypothalamus, which regulates the functioning of the endocrine glands;
- diseases of the pituitary gland;
- infectious hepatitis.
Characteristic signs of hyperglycemia:
- unquenchable thirst;
- increased dry mouth;
- frequent urination;
- drowsy;
- unreasonable fatigue;
- weight loss;
- decrease in visual acuity;
- unreasonable irritability, irascibility;
- rapid breathing;
- deep breaths;
- taste of acetone;
- regular infectious diseases;
- Goosebumps and trembling in the limbs.
The presence of several of these signs is a reason to check blood sugar. Normal blood test results can dispel all human fears, and a deviation will help slow down the pathological process and reverse it.
Causes and characteristic symptoms of low levels
Stable violation of normal blood sugar levels, accompanied by hypoglycemia, negatively affects the general well-being of a person. The pathological process continues to develop, since glucose is the energy "fuel" for all systems and organs.
Reasons for declining performance could be as follows:
- acute, chronic diseases;
- overwork that provoked a breakdown;
- emotional stress;
- low carb diet;
- non-compliance with the diet;
- impaired function of the pancreas responsible for insulin synthesis;
- kidney disease;
- failure of hypothalamus functionality;
- pathological changes in the adrenal glands.
You can recognize hypoglycemia by the following signs:
- sudden general weakness;
- increased perspiration;
- tremor in the limbs and throughout the body;
- unreasonable anxiety;
- nervous excitability;
- irritability;
- hunger;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- confusion of thoughts;
- lack of concentration.
People with glycemia are advised to always have on hand foods containing carbohydrates in an accessible form: sweets, chocolate. With a decrease in blood sugar, it is necessary to adjust the diet, avoid physical and psycho-emotional stress, observe the daily routine and eight hours of sleep.
How to prepare for the test
To get the most reliable blood sugar test result, you should prepare in advance.
Biological material should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. In this case, the last meal should be at least 8 hours before. In addition to food, a person should not consume liquids. Only a small amount of clean water is allowed.
This is due to the fact that when food enters the body, insulin is synthesized, which significantly increases the level compared to the normal fasting blood sugar. The concentration of glucose 1 hour after eating is about 10 mmol / l, after 2 hours this figure drops to 8 mmol / l.
The results of the study are influenced by the composition of the products. When eating foods high in carbohydrates, you must pause for 14 hours, otherwise the tests may be erroneous.
Glucose levels also change under the influence of physical activity, emotionalimbalance and concomitant infectious diseases. Don't donate blood after a massage, workout, long walk, X-ray or other physiotherapy.
It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol for 48 hours and smoke 6 hours before the analysis. Ignoring these rules will result in the uselessness of the procedure, as its results will be incorrect.
If at the time of the study a person is prescribed medication, then it is worth informing the doctor about this in advance.
Verification methods
It is possible to identify deviations from normal levels of cholesterol and blood sugar using several types of studies in the laboratory. Each of them has certain rules for conducting. Identification of the exact concentration of glucose allows you to diagnose various pathologies in the body.
Fasting blood test.
An analysis should be done that helps to identify a pathological deviation from normal blood sugar levels, on an empty stomach. That is, it is carried out 8-14 hours after a meal.
The grounds for holding are:
- preventive examination;
- obesity;
- impaired function of the pituitary, thyroid, liver, adrenal glands;
- appearance of warning signs of deviation;
- as a monitoring of the patient's condition in the detection of diabetes and the prerequisites for its development;
- to exclude the gestational form of this disease in a pregnant woman at 24-28 weeks.
Glucose loading study.
If the previous results cause a number of doubts in the doctor, then a special test for glucose tolerance is used. This procedure is necessary to detect diabetes and failure of carbohydrate metabolism in the body.
This study is scheduled for:
- clinical symptoms of diabetes combined with normal glucose levels;
- periodic appearance of glucose in urine;
- causeless retinopathy;
- increase in daily urine volume;
- hereditary predisposition to diabetes.
During the study, blood is taken from the patient on an empty stomach. Then he is given 75 g of glucose with tea. For children, this rate is determined at the rate of 1.75 g per 1 kg of weight.
If a re-analysis after 1-2 hours shows a sugar level within 7.8 mmol/l, then there is no need to talk about deviations. If the results of the study showed a glucose level of 11.1 mmol / l and above, then this is a confirmation of the development of diabetes. With a slight excess in figures of 7, 8, but less than 11, 1 mmol / l, one can judge a violation of tolerance to the component.
Glycated hemoglobin.
This study measures the blood concentration of the hemoglobin compound in red blood cells with glucose. This allows you to identify the presence of a deviation from the norm over the past 2-3 months.
For analysis, the patient's blood is taken after a 2-3-hour fast. The main advantage of the method is that its results are notinfluenced by the presence of infection, stress and medication during this period.
Research assigned:
- for suspected prediabetes and diabetes;
- in order to monitor the condition of a patient with diabetes;
- to determine the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy.
The level of glycated hemoglobin is measured as a percentage of the total protein content in the blood. Less than 6% is considered normal. Its excess confirms the development of diabetes.
Fructosamine.
This study allows you to set the level of glucose connection with proteins. This makes it possible to determine the dynamics of the deviation over the last 2-3 weeks. To obtain the result, blood is taken from a vein after a break in food lasting 8 hours. The norm is an indicator within the range of up to 319 µmol / l.
The basis for the study is:
- drastic change in diabetes therapy;
- monitoring a pregnant woman with diabetes;
- anemia.
C-peptide.
This component is an integral part of the secret of the pancreas. Determining the level of c-peptide in the body helps determine the synthesis of hemoglobin. Measurement also allows diagnosing diabetes and the effectiveness of its treatment. The concentration of c-peptide in the body is a constant unit, so it provides the most accurate data on hemoglobin.
Normal fasting readings range from 260-1730 pmol/L. The use offood, taking hormonal drugs, glucocorticosteroids, the use of contraceptives. When these factors are excluded, an excess of the level indicates the development of beta-cell hypertrophy, a pituitary tumor, non-insulin dependent diabetes, and renal failure.
Deviation of the indicator downwards may indicate stress, alcoholic hypoglycemia, insulin overdose.
If sugar is more than normal, what to do
When detecting deviations from normal blood sugar levels after and before meals, it is recommended to take certain actions to help stabilize the situation:
- It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that differ in the content of carbohydrates and fats in an accessible form (sweets, sugar, flour products, potatoes, soda, jam, chocolate).
- If possible, use a sugar substitute instead of sugar, if you can't completely refuse.
- Take small meals 5-6 times a day.
- Increase dietary fiber content.
- Reduce s alt intake.
- Increase protein content.
- More outdoor activities at a moderate pace.
- Introduce plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and greens into your diet.
How to increase the reduced level
To increase glucose levels, you should follow simple recommendations:
- Eat regularly at least 4-5 times a day.
- Introduce marine fish, beans, nuts, oil into the dietolives, cottage cheese.
- Don't eat sweets, sweets, chocolate, as this will provoke a sharp jump in glucose and negatively affect your overall well-being.
- It is recommended to drink a glass of fruit juice 10 minutes before your workout.
- Alcohol, strong coffee and smoking should be limited.
Conclusions
Attentive attitude to your he alth will help not only to detect pathological changes at an early stage, but will also minimize the risk of developing diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can be constantly monitored. To do this, you need to purchase a glucometer and take measurements if there are suspicious signs.
